Joint Pain and Nutrition

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

If there are terms in these articles you don't understand, you can get a definition from the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary.   If you want information about a specific disease, you can access the Merck Manual.   You can also search Pub Med for more abstracts on this, or any other health topic.

Boswellia serrata Extract

	A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of 5-Loxin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Arthritis Res Ther. 2008; 10 (4): R85 Boswellia serrata extract reduces pain and improves physical functioning significantly in OA patients; and it is safe for human consumption. 5-Loxin may exert its beneficial effects by controlling inflammatory responses through reducing proinflammatory modulators, and it may improve joint health by reducing the enzymatic degradation of cartilage in OA patients.
	Dietary Support with Boswellia Resin in Canine Inflammatory Joint and Spinal Disease Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 2004 (Feb); 146 (2): 71-79 An open multi-centre veterinary clinical trial, comparing conditions before and after treatment with a herbal dietary supplement consisting of a natural resin extract of Boswellia serrata, was conducted by 10 practicing veterinarians in Switzerland. Because quality and stability of the resin extract were ensured, these data suggest that a standardized preparation can be recommended as a herbal dietary supplement providing symptomatic support in canine osteoarthritic disease.
	Efficacy and Tolerability of Boswellia serrata Extract in Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee--A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial Phytomedicine 2003 (Jan); 10 (1): 3–7 Osteoarthritis is a common, chronic, progressive, skeletal, degenerative disorder, which commonly affects the knee joint. Boswellia serrata tree is commonly found in India. The therapeutic value of its gum (guggulu) has been known. It posses good anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activity. A randomized double blind placebo controlled crossover study was conducted to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Boswellia serrata Extract (BSE) in 30 patients of osteoarthritis of knee. All patients receiving (Boswellia serrata Extract) treatment reported decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance.
	Boswellic Acids (Components of Frankincense) as the Active Principle in Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Wien Med Wochenschr 2002; 152 (15-16): 373-378 Preparations from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata have been used as a traditional remedy in Ayurvedic medicine in India for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. A series of chronic inflammatory diseases are thought to be perpetuated by leukotrienes. In clinical trials promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, bronchial asthma und peritumoral brains edemas.
	Treatment of Osteoarthritis with a Herbomineral Formulation: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Cross-over Study J Ethnopharmacol 1991 (May-Jun); 33 (1-2): 91-95 Clinical efficacy was evaluated every fortnight on the basis of severity of pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie articular index, joint score, disability score and grip strength. Other parameters like erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiological examination were carried out on a monthly basis. Treatment with the herbomineral formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain (P less than 0.001) and disability score (P less than 0.05). Radiological assessment, however, did not show any significant changes in both the groups. Side effects observed with this formulation did not necessitate withdrawal of treatment.
	Effect of Non–steroidal Anti–inflammatory Drugs on the Course of Osteoarthritis Lancet 1989 (Sep 2); 2 (8662): 519–522 To test the hypothesis that non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis by reducing synthesis of vasodilator prostaglandins, thereby diminishing joint perfusion, 105 osteoarthritis patients awaiting hip arthroplasty were treated prospectively with a strong or weak prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin or azapropazone, respectively.
	Big Fish Story Scientists worldwide are praising a nutrient so powerful that it may help combat dozens of diseases. But don't expect an endorsement from our policy makers: They say we can do without.

Glucosamine

The Glucosamine Page Review articles going back to the 1980s about the benefits of Glucosamine. The most recent study demonstrates improvements in cartilage and discs with MRI studies.

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Since 10-01-2003

Updated 5-15-2022